TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps, with over 170 million users in the United States. However, its future remains uncertain. The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a law requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations due to national security concerns. The initial deadline passed without a sale, briefly causing service disruptions. However, President Trump issued a 75-day extension, pushing the enforcement deadline to April 5, 2025. If ByteDance does not comply by then, TikTok could be removed from app stores, lose access to updates, and face potential shutdowns.
Beyond the uncertainty over TikTok’s future, privacy concerns continue to raise alarms. The app collects extensive data, including your IP address, browsing history, and location, which is shared with third parties to enhance ad targeting.
Whether you’re concerned about privacy, unsure about the app’s long-term availability, or simply looking to take a break from social media, this guide will show you how to delete your TikTok account safely and permanently.
Delete TikTok from your phone
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to delete your TikTok account permanently.
- Open the TikTok app on your iPhone, Android, or tablet and log in.
- Tap the profile icon at the bottom right of your screen. It’s indicated by a “Me” badge.
- Select the three dots at the top right of the page. That will open up the “Settings and privacy” options.
- Tap “Manage my account”
- Scroll down and tap “Delete account”
- You will then be asked to download your TikTok data.
- Following this, you will be asked to confirm that you’d like to delete your account. It’s important to note that your account can still be reactivated within 30 days.
8. At this point, you will be asked to input a verification code sent to your phone. Enter it and select “Continue”. If you used Facebook, Google, or Twitter to create your TikTok account then you will be asked to sign into that service first.
9. You will now be redirected to another confirmation page, warning you that your account will be removed forever if you proceed. Select “Delete Account”.
10. A small popup window will now appear, confirming your action. Hit “Delete”.
How do I reactivate my TikTok account?
After following the above steps, TikTok will schedule your account for deletion. You will still have 30 days to change your mind. So, if you log into TikTok again within the next 30 days, you will be able to reactivate your TikTok account.
If you do nothing, your TikTok account will be deleted forever.
TikTok Privacy and Security
TikTok’s privacy policy says it will collect information like your IP address, browsing history, mobile carrier, some location data, and device information. It’ll also track things like the videos you upload, how long you watch certain videos, the messages you send other users, and your payment details if you buy in-app coins.
TikTok openly shares browsing data and email addresses with third parties for better advertising algorithms, as detailed in its privacy policy.
FAQ: About deleting TikTok account
Is deleting a TikTok account permanent?
Yes, deleting a TikTok account becomes permanent after 30 days. When you request to delete your account, TikTok puts it in a deactivation period for 30 days. Your account won’t be visible to others during this time, but you can log back in to reactivate it if you change your mind. After 30 days, the account and all associated data, such as videos, messages, and purchases, will be permanently deleted, and there’s no way to recover it.
Why won’t TikTok let me delete my account?
If you’re unable to delete your account, there could be a few reasons:
1. Unverified Account: TikTok requires a verification step to confirm your identity. If you didn’t verify your phone number or email, you might be unable to proceed.
2. Linked Accounts: If your TikTok account is tied to a third-party login (like Facebook or Google), you must first log into that service to complete the deletion process.
3. Technical Glitches: Sometimes, app bugs or connection issues can prevent the account deletion steps from working. Try updating the app or restarting your device.
4. Outstanding Issues: Deletion might be temporarily restricted if you have unresolved payment issues tied to your account.
If none apply, consider contacting TikTok’s support team for help.
Can you instantly delete a TikTok account?
Not completely. TikTok doesn’t offer an instant deletion option. When you request to delete your account, it enters a 30-day deactivation period. This is designed to give you time to change your mind or recover your account if the deletion was accidental. After 30 days, TikTok permanently deletes your account and all associated data. If you’re looking for immediate removal from public view, the deactivation period makes your account invisible, even if it’s not entirely deleted.
How to recover a permanently deleted TikTok account after 30 days?
Unfortunately, recovering a TikTok account is impossible once it has been permanently deleted after the 30-day grace period. TikTok permanently erases your data, including videos, followers, and messages, making a recovery impossible.
If you still want to use TikTok, create a new account. To avoid losing data in the future, consider downloading your account information before deletion or saving your content to your device.
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